Despite fame, Fazio remembers his roots

In this photo provided by Hasentree Corporation, golf course designer Tom Fazio poses for a photograph Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at the par-71, 7,037-yard course at Hasentree that he designed in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Hasentree Corporation, Stan Gilliland) ** NO SALES **

When Tom Fazio returns to the area to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame — Montgomery County Chapter on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Radisson Valley Forge Casino & Hotel, he won’t feel like a stranger. The Norristown native never forgot his roots.

The world’s most renowned golf course architect moved out of the area many years ago, following in the footsteps of his famous uncle George Fazio. It was a move that would propel him to world fame.

After moving to Jupiter, Fla., — then to Hendersonville, N.C., where he raised a family — Fazio began creating golf courses. Not just run-of-the-mill golf courses … but spectacular, innovative, visually stunning and strategically stimulating golf courses.

They covered the country, and most recently as his children add to his legacy, they are spanning the world.

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He is the sole renovator and re-designer for the two most famous golf courses in the world — Pine Valley and Augusta National. He was the one chosen to get Merion ready for this year’s assault by the best players in the world at the U.S. Open.

And now, in front of many people who knew him since his boyhood days, he enters a Hall of Fame aside a number of other great names in sports. But, unlike some of the rest, Fazio feels as if he never left.

“My days in Norristown and Lansdale (where his family moved in time for him to graduate from Lansdale Catholic High) and Montgomery County will always be a part of me,” says Fazio — a humble man, despite the multi-million dollar empire he created. “I remember the days as if they were yesterday. They gave me my foundation.”

Fazio shudders whenever he thinks of his age, 68, saying, “It seems like just yesterday when I started building golf courses for my Uncle George. I don’t know where all the time went.”

The time was spent building some of the most acclaimed golf courses in the world. Fazio’s name is attached to more Top 100 golf courses than any other architect in history. And, even though the economy has slowed and there is little golf course construction in this country, he continues to find inspirational projects.

His latest is Christofe Harbour on the island of St. Kitts, a mountaintop golf course overlooking a world-class marina that will be one of the world’s great luxury destinations when it is complete.

“Imagine holes 8, 9 and 10 at Pebble Beach … except imagine an entire golf course of holes like that, 75 feet above the sea,” says Fazio, painting a mental picture that is enhanced by the memory of some of the other stunning layouts he has created.

But, Fazio is not a person who is all about rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. In almost the same breath he will talk about the row home neighborhood of his Norristown childhood days.

“A few years back, when my kids were still young, I took all of them on a trip to Norristown. I made them get out of the car and we took a walking tour of Norristown,” recalls Fazio. “I wanted them to see my town. I wanted them to see the neighborhoods. I wanted them to see the row home I grew up in.

“Their mouths were wide open and their eyes were bulging,” he added. “I think they always thought I was lying … or at least exaggerating about my childhood days. It was a good experience for them, and a good reminder for me.”

Fazio will be reminded of a lot more, during the induction ceremony in the county where he spent his formative years. The stories about him will be relayed … and he will be able to tell a few stories of his own.

And he won’t need any notes. They will come right off the top of his head. Because he never forgot his roots in Montgomery County. As they say … he never forgot where he came from.

Fazio is part of an induction class that includes Betty Shellenberger, Robbie Wine, Dennis McKernan, Gina Buggy, Jim Williams, Gina Buggy, Billy Cunningham, William Nuttall, the late Tom Schafer, Bob Glascott and Darren Daulton. Tickets for the event are still available by going to the website, www.montcosportshof.org, or call DaveRitting at 610-265-0300.